Judge recuses himself in wrongful-conviction case
After months of presiding over efforts to overturn Andrew Hayes’ murder conviction, Judge Lee Coffee has agreed to step aside following a defense motion challenging his impartiality.
Mary Evans
There are 43 articles by Mary Evans :
-
November 2026
-
Public Safety -
2026 Elections
ElectionsKustoff reelected to sixth term in US House
The Germantown incumbent defeated Democratic challenger and former Shelby County Criminal Court clerk Heidi Kuhn for Tennessee’s 8th Congressional District seat, which covers much of Memphis and its northeastern suburbs.
-
Public Safety DA releases video of fatal shooting by National Guard
The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office has released several videos of the death of 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson, who was shot and killed by members of the National Guard on July 5.
-
Metro MICAH hosts Dia de los Muertos to honor lost families separated
Community members gathered Sunday to remember six men killed during Task Force operations and honor people detained by immigration enforcement and families separated by ICE.
-
-
October 2026
-
Public Safety DA says his office moving through felony cases faster despite heavier workload
“We have been having to staff two new courtrooms without any extra staff,” Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy said.
-
2026 elections
ElectionsWith midterms approaching, Task Force is focus for both sides of the aisle
With early voting underway in Shelby County, federal officials touted the Memphis Safe Task Force while Democratic congressional nominees vowed to scrutinize the operation.
-
City of Memphis Violent-crime rate continues slide, led by robbery decline
Memphis’ major violent-crime rate has continued falling throughout the year, according to the latest data from the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission.
-
Update
City of MemphisPearson celebrates lifted ban for Memphis City Council attendees
“People power can win, even when City Hall has six attorneys ... trying to silence dissent against data centers and the billionaires who are popping them up all across our country,” State Rep. Justin J. Pearson said.
-
City of Memphis City Council votes down indefinite data center pause
The Memphis City Council approved a move toward developing land-use standards and regulations for new data centers that comes with a 135-day moratorium.
-
City of Memphis City Council asks ICE, National Guard to leave Memphis
The nonbinding resolution approved at a tense and standing-room-only council session is similar to a resolution the council voted down in September 2025.
-
City of Memphis Yolanda Cooper-Sutton suspended from City Council committee duties
Memphis City Council Chairwoman Jana Swearengen-Washington suspended Council member Yolanda Cooper-Sutton from her committee-leadership duties for 30 days after her conduct during an Oct. 6 council meeting.
-
Premium
Public SafetyNo end in sight for Memphis Safe Task Force
“We’re working on a permanent plan for Memphis,” the director of the U.S. Marshals Service said.
-
Public Safety Memphis Safe Task Force pursuit ends in fatal multi-vehicle crash
A 32-year-old man is facing vehicular homicide and other charges following a high-speed pursuit with law enforcement on Wednesday.
-
Public Safety Man died of heart issues during traffic stop, Task Force says
“Long-term issues associated with his heart” was the cause of death for the man found unresponsive during a Monday, Oct. 12, traffic stop, according to a Memphis Safe Task Force spokesman.
-
City of Memphis Justin J. Pearson suing Memphis City Council
State Rep. Justin J. Pearson and community activists held a press conference in front of City Hall to announce a lawsuit alleging city officials violated their First Amendment rights by barring them from future council meetings.
-
Public Safety Vigils held for 5 deaths in officer-involved car crash
Two vigils were held on back-to-back nights to honor five young people killed in a crash involving Memphis police officers.
-
Public Safety Man dies during Memphis Safe Task Force traffic stop
A man was found unresponsive during a traffic stop made by Memphis Safe Task Force Officers. The cause of death has not been determined yet.
-
Public Safety Man charged after Memphis police shooting
Dalvin Johnson was arraigned Tuesday, and a judge set his bond at $500,000. He remains at Regional One Health after officers returned fire.
-
Public Safety 5 dead, 3 injured after crash involving MPD officers in Hickory Hill
Five people were killed and three others were left in critical condition after a crash involving Memphis police officers overnight Saturday.
-
Public Safety Jury finds man guilty for killing Memphis musician
A man was charged with first-degree murder for the 2024 killing of Blake Rhea, a bass player in the band Southern Avenue.
-
Premium
Public SafetyAttorneys dealing with double the criminal cases a year after the Task Force’s arrival
During the Memphis Safe Task Force’s first year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office charged 543 defendants with complaints or indictments compared to 225 people charged during 2024.
-
Premium
MetroMemphis ‘mega docket’ immigration court is booming
The scale of the Memphis Immigration Court’s “mega master docket” is clear right away — and it’s part of a national shift in immigration policy.
-
Public Safety Wrongful-conviction case of alleged killer delayed
When Andrew Hayes returns to court in November, Judge Lee Coffee will hear a motion asking the judge to remove himself from the case.
-
Public Safety Inmate accused of killing cellmate waives bond hearing
Jonathan Griffin, 19, is charged with first-degree murder of his cellmate, Erick Jones, 23.
-
Public Safety Jail East inmate died by suicide
The autopsy report said Beverly Turnage was found unresponsive in her cell Sept. 12.
-
About 43 results